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President White to leave Bethel College at end of academic year

NORTH NEWTON, KAN. – Bethel College President Perry D. White has announced his plans to step down at the conclusion of the 2016'17 academic year, concluding seven years of service to the college.

“I intend to work closely with the Board and campus constituency in preparation for this transition,” President White said. “I believe that the institution is in a good position to welcome the next institutional leader and appreciate the support Dalene and I have received during our time at Bethel.”

White informed the campus community of his decision in a message distributed October 18.

“The Board is extremely grateful to President White and Dalene for their commitment to Bethel during their tenure,” said board chair Heather Esau Zerger, Newton. “They have worked tirelessly both within the campus community and through their travels across the nation meeting with donors and alumni. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

White took office as Bethel’s 14th president in July 2010. He was previously vice president for external relations and admissions at Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, from 2008-09.

During his presidency, Bethel completed numerous campus construction projects, including the opening of the James A. Will Family Academic Center, addition of new entrance signage, and renovations to Schultz Student Center and Luyken Fine Arts Center. Other campus improvements include upgrades within all of the residence halls, the addition of seating to the Ward Tennis Center and air-conditioning to Thresher Gym and Memorial Hall, and replacement of bleachers in Thresher Gym.

“We appreciate how Perry’s vision for the beautification of campus remarkably reshaped the campus visit and living experience, benefiting both current and prospective students,” Zerger said. “Dalene’s work with the volunteer crew contributed to boosting the overall impression of the campus and her assistance in the admissions and advancement offices during times of transition was invaluable.”

Under President White’s leadership, the college also added academic programs to include graphic design, sport management, accounting, RICHE (Research, Internships, Careers in Health and the Environment) and a re-energized online RN-to-BSN program. Extracurricular enhancements included the addition of softball, cheerleading and the athletic band.

His work with the Board of Directors included establishment of a vision statement and reworking of the mission and values statements as well as the fall 2015 passing of Bethel’s strategic plan, “Extending our Heritage, Expanding our Impact.” In support of this strategic plan and through his establishment of partnerships with area businesses and the Harvey County Economic Development Commission, President White brought to campus a summer 2016 symposium on non-profit entrepreneurship, which featured Gary Schoeniger author of Who Owns the Ice House?

According to Zerger, the Board of Directors is currently identifying appropriate members for the search committee.

White has a bachelor of arts in music education from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and earned a master of music in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a doctor of musical arts in choral conducting from the University of Oklahoma.

Between 1983 and 1998, White taught vocal music at the middle school, high school and college levels in Iowa, Missouri and Texas. He went to Monmouth (Illinois) College in 1998 as a professor of music. He was tapped for the broader administrative role of vice president for college advancement at Monmouth in 2004.

Bethel College is the only private college in Kansas listed in the Forbes.com analysis of top colleges and universities, the Washington Monthly National Universities-Liberal Arts section and the National Liberal Arts College category of U.S. News & World Report, all for 2016'17. The four-year liberal arts college is affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. For more information, see www.bethelks.edu.

Bethel College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, parental or marital status, gender identity, gender expression, medical or genetic information, ethnic or national origins, citizenship status, veteran or military status or disability. E-mail questions to TitleIXCoordinator@bethelks.edu.

About Bethel

As the first Mennonite college founded in North America, Bethel College celebrates a tradition of progressive Christian liberal arts education, diversity within community, and lifelong learning.